Combination creel and warper apparatus



Nov. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG COMBINATION CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1962 In lmHflll BY mw Nov. 19, 1963 c, N. sEELlG 3,110,951

COMBINATION CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS INVENTOR:

Nov. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG 3,110,951

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Nov. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG 3,110,951

COMBINATION CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 'FLE- 7- INVENTOR:

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Nov. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG COMBINATION CREEL AND wARPER APPARATUS 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 8, 1962 INVENTOR' Oliverl. eehlg, BY

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Nov. 19, 1963 o, N. sEELlG 3,110,951

COMBINATION CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR:

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Nov. 19, 1963 o. N.sEE1.1G

vCOMBINATTLON CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Feb. 8, 1962 INVENTQR: Oliver lleeZ/gg ATTR Y.

Nov. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG 3,110,951

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COMBINATION CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8, 1962 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 FILE- r9.5-

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BY j /c A oRNEY. l

Nv. 19, 1963 o. N. sEELlG COMBINATION CREEL AND wARPER APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8, 196,2

l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR:

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ORNE -NAM -HFW United States Patent O 3,110,951 CQMFLENATIN CREEL AND WARPER APPARATUS @liver N. Seelig, Wyomissing Hills, Pa.,

Narrow Fabric Company, a corporation vama assigner to The of Pennsyl- Filed Feb. 8., 1962, Ser. No. 171,984

25 Qiaims. (Cl. ZS-StS) This invention concerns a unique combination creel and warper apparatus which is adapted to effect transfer of the yarn from the creel unit to the warper unit in a novel and improved manner.

`One object `of my invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the type indicated.

Another object is to provide such an `apparatus having certain structural and functional features of advantage over the similar' type apparatus of the prior art.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus which embodies novel means for precisely controlling the tension of the yarn during its transfer operation from the yarn packages of the creel unit to the warp beam of the warper unit.

Another `object is to provide such an apparatus which prevents fibrillation of multilament yarns during their transfer `operation from the yarn packa-ges of the creel unit to the Warp beam of the warper unit.

An additional object is to provide such an apparatus in which sliding or rubbing `friet-ion of the yarns is substantially entirely avoided by novel yarn defleoting means arranged so that the individual yarns encounter only one non-rotating point of yarn contact during their transfer operation from the yarn packages of the creel unit to the warp beam of the warper unit, which non-rotating point of yarn contact involves a floating action of the yarn between stationary yarn spacing or aligning elements.

An additional object is to provide novel elongated rotatable yarn deecting rollers yat the yarn discharging area of the Creel unit, which rolle-rs can be operated at any desired speed and enable arrangement `of the yarn packages so as to provide a creel unit of any desired height.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be etiiciently operated at a considerably higher production speed than the similar type apparatus yof the prior A further object is to provide such an apparatus which, in comparison with the similar type apparatus of the prior art, performs its intende-d `function more economically, effectively and efficiently :in that it occupies less floor space, prevents the development of excessive static electricity, embodies special operating means, etc.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved apparatus `of the type indicated in which the Iwarper unit ris :provided with a rotatable warp beam having a yarn receiving surface of substantially the same width as the y-arn sheet that is applied thereto and which wanp beam is -arranged in acute angular relation with the longitudinal axis of the creel unit.

It :is also an `object to provide such an apparatus in which the creel unit has a plurality of yarn packages rotatably mounted thereon and arranged so that the yarn, as it is being released therefrom, travels toward the warp beam at a predetermined rate of speed, first to a common yarn discharging area located at one side of the creel unit where the yarns are deflected by novel elongated guide elements arranged to vertically extend across the yarn discharging area in such relatively spaced manner that the individual yarns from the yarn packages can be contactingly Aarranged on the yarn delleoting elements lfor travel therebeyond toward the warp beam p 3,110,951 Patented Nov. 19, 1963 ICC in a substantially parallel relationship with each other and in such order as to effect ia yarn sheet formation of substantially the same width as the width of the yarn receiving surface `of the Warp beam.

It is also an object to provide such an apparatus in which the y-arn, during its transfer operation from the yarn packages of the creel unit to the warp beam of the warper -u-nit, encounters only one non-rotatable yarn guide contact device, namely, a zig-zag expansion comb which forms part of the warper unit.

Another feature yof the invention resides in a novel arrangement of the yarn packages or bobbins of the Creel unit in relation to the lriotional drivedrum means therefor, which arrangement alleviates yarn strain on the packages, prevents the yarn from being pulled otf the packages d-ue to slippage, as well as prevents other detrimental etfects from occurring, such as bouncing of the packages during rotation thereof due to package unevenness, yarn spin-off, etc.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the practical and illustrative embodiment of the improvements shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention comprises the novel apparatus, elements, features tof construction and Iarrangement of parts in ycooperative relationship, as more particularly indicated and defined by the hereto appended claims.

ln the accompanying drawings:

'FIGURE l is a top plan View lof bination creel and warper apparatus my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of 4a front portion of the creel unit shown in FIG. l;

FlG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the creol unit of the apparatus, as seen by looking in the direction of the arrows `lll-4f of FIG. 3, with schematic indication of one arrangement of the yarn guide surfaces of the novel elongated yarn guide elements of my invention that extend vertically across the yarn discharging area of the creel;

FIG. 4-A is a schematic v-iew, indicating another arrangement of the yarn guide surfaces of said yarn Vguide elements shown in FIG. 4;

tFlG. 5 is a detail sectional view of one of the yarn package drive drum means of the creel, taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 5-5 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is -a detail sectional view of a fixed drive chain idler taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 6-6 on FlG. 4;

FlG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the creel, taken substantially along the line 7 -7 of FIG. 3;

FlG. 8 is an enlarged view of the structure portion show-n within the dot-and-dash line indicated in FIG. 7, and illustrates a first position of one of the yarn packages;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FlG. 8 and illustrates a second position of the yarn package;

FlG. l0 is a `detail plan view, as seen by looking in the direction of the `arrows 16a-10' Iof FIG. 9;

FG. ll is an enlarged top plan view of the driving end of the creel unit, and includes a central portion of the unit, certain parts being broken away and in section to show construction details;

FIG. l2 is an enlarged detail elevational sectional View of the novel vertically extending yarn deilecting roller means of my invention and the adjustment means therefor, which view is taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 12-12 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view which more particularly shows a vibration arrester device for one of the one form yof comin accordance with yarn deiiecting rollers of my invention, as seen by looking in the direction of the arrows 13a-13 on FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 13, as seen by looking in the direction of the arrow 14 on FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 11S-15 on FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 16h16 on FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevational View, similar to FIG. 4, of a modified form of creel;

FIG. 18 is a transverse sectional view, similar to FIG. 7, but of the modified form of creel indicated by FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the warper unit shown at the left hand end portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a front elevational View of the warper unit illustrated in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line YI21--21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view line 23-23 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 25-25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a detail horizontal sectional View taken along the line 26-26 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 27 is a partly schematic or diagrammatic view of the control system of the combination creel and warper apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the new and improved apparatus of the present invention comprises a creel, generally designated by the reference character C and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 16 inclusive, with which is cooperatively combined a warper, generally designated by the reference character W, and illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 19 to 26 inclusive. In lieu of the preferred form of creel C, if so desired, a modified form of creel, generally designated by the reference character Cl and illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, may be used, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

The creel C, as a unit, is arranged in a predetermined acute angular relationship with respect to the warp beam of the warper W, as shown by the dot-and-dash line in FIG. l, so that the yarn passing from the yarn discharging side of the creel is delivered to the warper W in the form of a liat yarn sheet of predetermined width, which sheet corresponds substantially with the Width of the warp beam.

The creel C comprises a frame formed by a plurality of vertically disposed transverse wall forming members 1, 2 and 3 and a plurality of horizontally disposed longitudinal bars, or angular beams, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The transverse members 1, 2 and 3 may be shaped as indicated and constructed of sheet metal, or plate steel of suitable gauge, each member having a tiange 8 extending around three of its peripheral edges, as more particularly seen in FIGS. 4 and 7.

The creel frame members 1, 2 and 3 are adapted to be arranged in suitable spaced apart relationship lengthwise of the creel, the member I being disposed at the end of the creel facing the warper W, the member 3 being disposed at the end of the creel opposite to the end having the member I, and the member 2 being disposed at an intermediate point between the two members I and 3, whereby the creel is divided by the intermediate frame member 2 into two sections, generally indicated at 9 and 10 in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The horizontally disposed longitudinally extending bars 4, S, 6 and 7 are arranged between the creel frame members 1 and 2 and between the creel frame members 2 and 3, in the manner shown in FIG. 7, in which it will be noted that the bars 4 and 5 are located adjacent to the top taken along the and bottom portions respectively of the rear side 11 of the creel, and the bars 6 and 7 are located adjacent to the top and bottom portions respectively of the front or yarn discharging side 12 of the creel, The ends of the bars 4, 5, 6 and 7 are iixedly connected to the creel frame members I, 2 and 3 in any suitable manner, such as by bolts that extend through transverse end plates, or by welding, so as to provide a rigid frame structure of the creel. Due to the manner in which the bars 4 and 5 are arranged lengthwise of the creel, there is provided a large unobstructed open space at the rear side 11 of the creel so that access can be readily had with the interior of the creel for the purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The lower portions of the creel frame members I, 2 and 3 are provided with integral Hoor engaging pads or feet 14, see FIGS. 4 and 7.

Arranged. within the sections 9 and Itl of the creel, between the transverse frame members 1i, 2 and 3 respectively, are usual type yarn packages or `bobbins 15, see FIG. 8.

These yarn packages 1S are larranged in a plurality of horizontally disposed groups, with the yarn packages of each group arranged in predetermined spaced apart relationship in axial alignment with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, there may be seven yarn packages in each group within each section 9 and 1d' of the creel.

Each yarn package consists of a strand of yarn wound upon a core 17 which is rotatably mounted on a spindle 1'8 `carried by one end 119 of a lever or arm 2?` (see FIG. 11).

The elongated arm 230 is provided with a hub 21 at its end opposite to the end having the yarn package spindle 18 (FIGS. 8, 9 and 10).

An opening 22 s formed in the hu'b 21 to receive a rod 23 which extends llengthwise of the two sections 9 and '10 of the cree-l, between the transverse frame members, and is arranged substantially in parallel relationship with the lbars 4, 5, 6 and 7 heretofore described.

The rods 23 are arranged so that the yarn packages 15 will be positioned in three vertical rows, one row being located adjacent to the rear side 11 of the creel, a second row being located adjacent to the front side 12 oi' the creel, and the third row being located intermediate the front and rear rows, as illustrated more particularly in FIG. 7.

It will Ibe noted that the rear vertical rows of yarn pack-ages, in the two creel sections 9 and It), are arranged in four horizontal groups of axially aligned yarn packages, as indicated by the reference characters 11'52", 15b, 1.50 and 15d in FIG. 7, and the other two vertical rows each consist of two horizontal groups of axially aligned yarn packages, one of which is indicated `by the reference characters 15e 4and ISf and the other by the reference characters 15g and 15h, making a total of eight horizontal rows of axially aligned yarn packages, all of which rows are located in different horizontal planes, so as to provide a vertically staggered arrangement by which the yarn packages are disposed so las to establish a determinately spaced vertical and horizontal order of yarn travel from the packages to the yarn discharging area 12 of the creel unit.

Each -rod 23 which supports all the arms 2t? of each respective group of yarn pack-ages 15- in the eight rows above described, extends in a single length from one end of the creel to the other. One end of each such rod being inserted in an opening 2.4 formed in the outer creel frame member 1, the intermediate portion of each rod Z3 passing through an opening 25 formed in the central creel lframe member 2, and the other end of each rod 23 `being inserted in an opening (not shown) formed in the outer creel ydrame member 3y in alignment with the openings 24 and 2S.

Each rod 23 is iixedly mounted in" position and for' this purpose each end portion of eachrod is formed withscrew threads 26. Engaged on eachl threaded end por;

tion of each rod Z3 Iis a nut 217 which is screwed up tight against the inside face of the outer creel frame members 1 and 3, and threadedly mounted on the outer end portion of each -rod 23 is a second nut 23 which is screwed up tight against the outside face of the members 1 and 3 in the manner shown in FIG. 11.

The hub 211 of each yarn package carrying arm 20 is freely rotatable on its respective rod 23 and in order to retain the arm 21)' for each yarn package 15 in a predetermined position on the rod 23, said hub is disposed between a pair of collars 30 and 31 mounted on the rod 23 and iixedly secured thereto by means of pins, set screws, or similar elements 32 and 33, respectively, indicated in FIG. 101.

Normally, each arm 126l is arranged in a general-ly horizontal position within the creel so as to bring the yarn package mounted thereon into operative relation with a drive drum 36. Each arm 20, with its yarn package 1'5 thereon, is adapted to be swung upwardly in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 toward a substantially upright doing position, as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 8.

The hub 21 is provided with `an upstanding lug or finger 34 and the collar 31 is provided with a lug 35 that projects laterally therefrom and is arranged in the path `of movement of the lug 34 to thereby engage the latter and limit the extent of rotation of the arm 2% in a counterclockwise direction from the full line position shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 toward the said rdofling position indicated in FIG. 8.

Each group of yarn packages within the creel sections 9 and l@ has cooperatively associated therewith a yarn package drive drum 36, which is arranged to support and rotate the yarn packages of the group.

Each ydrive drum 36 is horizontally arranged in predetermined spaced parallel relationship with the respective rod 23 upon which the several yarn package arms 2? of a certain yarn package group are supported. In this manner the axis of rotation or' the yarn packages of said certain group is offset with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive drum 36, for a purpose to be hereinafter more -fully described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each drive drum 36 is fixedly rnounted on ya shaft 37 which is supported by selfaligning or other type bearings 318 of standard construction, that are secured by screw bolts or otherwise to the transverse frame members 1, 2 `and '3 of the creel, with each shaft 37 arranged so that it extends through said bearings on the transverse frame members and beyond the member 1 `as indicated in FIGS. 1l and 5.

From FIG. 7 it lwill Ibe apparent that the yarn package drive drums 36 are arranged within the creel in three vertical rows, the drive drums of one vertical row being indicated by the reference characters 3611, 36, 36C and 36d, the drive drums of the second vertical row being indicated by the reference characters 36e and 365, and the ldrive drums of the third vertical row being indicated by the reference characters 36g and 36h.

In FIG. 7 the drive drum shafts 37 are identied in corresponding manner, that -is to say, the drum shafts of one vertical row are indicated by the reference characters 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d, the drum shafts of the second vertical row are indicated by the reference characters 37e and 37f, and the drum shafts of the third vertical row are indicated by the reference characters 37g and 37h.

At the end of the creel which faces the warper W, each shaft y37 has xedly secured thereto a similar drive sprocloet 39, and all such sprockets 39 are cooperatively engaged by an endless chain 40; in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4.

In order to provide a predetermined tension of the chain 40, a plurality of free running id-ler sprockets 4-1 (FIGS. 4 and 6) and an adjustable idler sprocket 42, are mounted on the transverse frame member y1 and arranged in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

As indicated in FIG. l, `the groups of yarn packages 15 within the sections 9` and 10 of the creel may each cons-ist of seven yarn packages ar-ranged in suitable spaced apart relationship in axial alignment with each other.

At the yarn discharging side 1.2 of the creel there are a plurality of vertically disposed yarn guide elements, in the form of rotatably mounted rollers 44. 'Ihese rollers 44 are elongated cylinders having smooth exterior surfaces which .are located outside of the main frame of the creel and correspond `in number with the yarn packages of each group. rIlhat is to say, there are seven rollers 44 for the seven yarn packages in each group of section 9, and seven rollers for the seven yarn packages in each group of section 10, making a total of fourteen rollers. As illustrated in HG. 3, the rollers 44 are arranged in suitable spaced apart relationship lengthwise of the creel, in alignment with the yarn packages .15, said rollers being adjustably mounted on suitable supporting means to be next described.

As shown in FIG. 12, at the yarn discharging side 1-2 of the creel runit, the transverse frame members 1, 2 `and 3 have ixedly mounted on the vertical portions of their flanges 8, upper brackets l45, intermediate brackets 46, and lower brackets 47.

'Phe upper brackets 45 provide means for supporting an elongated horizontally disposed structural steel member 48 which is `arranged lengthwise of the creel in the manner illustrated in lFIGS. l, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 12.

A second elongated horizontally disposed structural steel member 49 is supported from the intermediate brackets 46, and a third elongated horizontally disposed structural steel member Sit is supported by the lower brackets 47, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 12.

The said structural steel members 4S, 49 and 50 may be constructed of angle stock `so that there will be provided a horizontal web portion and a vertical web portion.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the member 48 has a ilat horizontal portion 52 and a vertical portion 53 depending therefrom. In ya like manner the member 49 has a at horizontal portion A54 and a vertical portion 55 depending therefrom, and the member 5@ has a tlat horizontal portion 56 and `a vertical portion 57 depending therefrom. Since vthe members 4S, 49 and 50 span a considerable distance between their respective supporting brackets 45, 46 and 47, the vertical portions 53, 55 and 57 provide means for preventing sagging or deflection of said members in a downward direction between their respective supporting brackets, land the horizontal portions 52, 54 and S6 provide means for engaging a body portion of the brackets 45, 46 and 47 respectively, whereby the members 48, 49 and 5t) are supported thereon.

vEach bracket 45, `46 and 47 is provided with an elongated slot 59, which is arranged in the manner shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15 so `as to extend lengthwise of the brackets in a direction outwardly from the il-anges 8 of the creel frame members 1, 2i and 3.

The members 4S, 49 and '5u have associated therewith bolts ou, each bolt having a threaded shank mounted in a slot 59 and arranged to receive a nut at the lower portion thereof which, when turned up on the shank of the bolt inthe manner illustrated in FIG. l2, clamps the therewith associated parts together.

The slots 59 in the brackets 45, 46 and 47, together with the bolts 60, provide means by which the sections of the members `48, 49 and `Sti that are connected with the brackets 45, 46 and 47, may be arranged in a predetermined angular relationship with respect to the main body of the cree-l at the yarn discharging side 12 thereof. Also, the angular arrangement of reach member 4S, 49 and 50 relative yto each other may be varied in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now to FIGS. l, 2, 1l and 12, each yarn guide roller 44 has an upper end portion provided with a shaft section which is rotatably mounted in a self aligning bearing 612, fixed to the part 52 of the lnember 48, and has.

7 a lower end portion provided with a shaft section which is rotatably mounted iu a self aligning bearing 63 xed to the part 56 of the member Sil (see also FIGS. 12, 15 and 16).

The upper and lower bearings 62 and 63 of the yarn gu-ide rollers 44, as =well as the bearings 33 of the yarn package drive drum shafts '37, may be of the Well known self aligning type available on the open market and sold under the trade name Fafniir Flangettes. For further information concerning the construction and functioning of such beanings, reference may be had to Catalog No. 480,'issued by the Fafnir Bearing Company, of New Britain, Connecticut, or to the patents and other literature available to the public which relate to such type bearings.

The intermediate portion of each roller 44 extends through an opening 64 in the section 54 of the member 49, said opening having an area larger than the diameter of the roller, so that there is not any contact of the roller directly with the wall of the opening 64.

Mounted on the portion F4 of the member 49 is a pair of elements 65, which are diametrically arranged in spaced apart relationship at opposite sides of the roller 44.

-An are-nate notch 66, formed in an end portion of each element 65, is arranged to receive the roller 44 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 13, whereby the roller is engaged by the two elements 65 and steadied intermediate its length so that vibrations of the roller are arrested and dampened when the creel is in operation.

The elements 65 are preferably constructed of suitable plast-ic bearing material, such as Micarta, or a similar material possessing a stiff anti-friction body, and said elements are iixedly held in place on the member 49 by means of bolts or other fastening means 67. It will be understod that the construction and arrangement of the parts is such that the relative position of the elements 65 with the intermediate section of the roller 44 can be adjusted when the parts become Worn.

The shaft section at the upper end of each roller 44 has a sprocket 7d mounted thereon, as shown in FIG. 12.

Since the rollers 44 are arranged in spaced apart relationship, the sprockets 70I of said rollers extend in a generally straight line lengthwise of the creel in the manner shown in FIGS. l and 2.

Mounted on the upper angle member 48 and arranged adjacent to each end thereof, are stud shafts having sprockets 7l and 712 thereon, respectively, the sprocket 71 being located adjacent to the end of the creel having the frame member l, and the sprocket 72 being located adjacent to the end of the creel having the frame member 3 (see FIGS. l and 2).

Also mounted on the upper angle member 48 and arranged in suitable spaced apart intervals in a staggered relation with the sprockets 7l?, are stud shafts having idler rollers 73 and roller sprockets 74 mounted thereon.

An endless chain 75 is trained over the sprockets 70, 71, 72 and 74 and idler rollers 73 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 so that movement of the chain 75 in the direction of the arrow 76 (FIG. 2) imparts rotation to all of the rollers 44 in the direction of the arrows 77.

It will be understood that the idler rollers 73 and idler sprockets 74 are arranged to guide and maintain the chain '75' in cooperative relationship with the sprockets 70 of the rollers 44.

As previously explained, the yarn package drive drums 36 are rotated by means of an endless chain 4t)` trained over the drive sprockets 39 mounted on the outer end portion of the drum shafts 37 lin the manner illustrated in FIGS. 4, and .11.

For the purpose of operating the yarn guide rollers 44 at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute and in a definite relation with the surface speed of the yarn packages l5 and the surface speed of the warp beam, in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described, a driving connection is provided between the yarn package operating mechanism and the yarn guide rollers operating mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and ll, the shaft 37 is provided with an extension 37@ at the upper left hand corner portion of the creel which extends outwardly from the creel frame member `l for a suitable distance to provide means upon which there is mounted a grooved pulley Si).

At a suitable point adjacent to the upper right hand corner portion of the creel frame member l (see FIGS. 4 and ll), a suitable power transmitting unit is mainly supported on a mounting yi511. that is secured to the frame member l.

The power transmitting unit comprises a grooved pulley S2 mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft S3 to which is secured a bevel gear 33a that cooperates with a bevel gear 33D fixed on a vertical shaft 84 to which is iixedly attached a sprocket wheel 85. In this manner, rotation of the shaft 83 imparts rotation to the shaft 84.

An endless belt 86 operatively connects the pulley Si) with the pulley `32, and an endless chain yS7 operatively connects the sprocket wheel 85 with a sprocket 88 that is secured to the shaft of the sprocket 7l heretofore referred to.

An adjustable belt tightening `device 9d is mounted on the creel frame member 1 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 4 and ll. The device 9@ has an idler wheel 91 engaging the drive belt 86 to maintain said belt at the desired tension in the manner more particularly illustrated in FIG. 4.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. l, 2, 4, 7 and 12, the rollers 44 are arranged to extend vertically across the yarn discharging side i12 of Ithe creel unit C at a slight angle with respect to the vertical portions of the flanges 8, of the frame members il, 2 and 3, in the manner schematically indicated at the right end of FIG. 4. That is to say, the upper roller bearing supporting member 48 is arranged closer to the flanges 8 than is the lower roller bearing supporting member Sti (see FIG. l2), so that the rollers 44 are so angularly positioned that the exteriors thereof provide suitably inclined surfaces 92 for supporting, deilecting and guiding the yarn poitions `9?; which extend from the yarn packages l' to the rollers 44. Also, since the members 48, 49 and Sli are angularly disposed relative to the plane of the yarn discharging side 12 of the creel, as shown in FIGS. l and 2, with the ends of said members arranged a closer distance from the flange 3 of the creel frame member l, than is the distance that said members are spaced from the flange 8 of the frame member 3 at the rear end of the creel, the yarn guide surfaces 92 of the successive rollers 44, as schematically indicated in FIG. 4, are in a progressively spaced order relat-ive to each other, as said surfaces extend from the front end creed frame member ll toward the rear end creel frame member 3 of the ,creel unit C.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the rollers 44 with respect to the arrangement of the yarn packages 15 is such that each of the yarn portions 93 that extend from the yarn packages `15, are deliected by the rollers 44 a little beyond the yarn directly above it, and that due to the angular arrangement of the rollers 44, said rollers consequently effect a yarn sheet emanating from the creel which is of substantially the same width as the yarn receiving surface of the warp beam of the warper unit, as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out.

By referring to the schematic illustration of the surface arrangement of the rollers 44, as indicated in FIG. 4-A, it will be noted that, if desired, the rollers 44, instead of having their yarn deilecting surfaces 92 arranged in parallelism as schematically indicated at the right end of FEG. 4, may be arranged so that said yarn deflecting surfaces 92 fan out, more or less, from the top to the bottom thereof. In this manner, the spacing between the yarns and the width of the yarn sheet can be varied, as desired, between the inclination limits of the rollers 44.

Under certain conditions it is desirable to provide a creel unit embodying the elements of construction heretoore described arranged in such a manner that lthe overall height of the creel is less than the height of the creel C.

Referring to FlGS. 17 and 18, the creel C1 comprises a frame formed of a plurality of vertically disposed transverse members, an end member 101 being illustrated in FlG. 17 and an intermediate member 1112 being illustrated in FIG. 18. The members 181 and 1112l are the equivalent of the members 1 and 2 heretofore described, and said members w1 and 1112 are connected together by a plurality of horizontally disposed longitudinal bars 1193, 1111i, 1135, 1115 and 197 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 18.

The transverse frame members 1111 and 102 are constructed of sheet metal or plate steel of suitable gauge, each member having a ange 1118 extending around its peripheral edges, with the exception of the bottom edge, which is angeless.

The transverse frame members are adapted to be arranged in spaced apart relationship lengthwise of the creel C1 in a similar manner to that heretofore described in connection with the description of the creel C, so that the creel C1 is provided with two sections, corresponding substantially with the sections 9 and 10 heretofore described.

The horizontally disposed longitudinally extending bars 1113 and 194 are arranged adjacent to the rear side 111 of the creel C1, and the bars 1115, 1196 and 1&7 are located adjacent to the front or yarn discharging side 112 of the creel. The ends of the bars are fixedly connected to the transverse frame members in any suitable manner, such as by screw bolts or welding, so as to provide a rigid frame structure of the creel. The lower portions of the transverse frame members are provided with floor engaging pads or feet 110.1.

As shown in FIG. 18, the main difference between the creel C and the creel Cl is the arrangement of the yarn packages and their drive drums.

The yarn packages 115 are in a plurality of horizontally disposed groups, with the yarn packages of each group arranged in predetermined spaced apart relationship and in axial alignment with each other as has been heretofore described.

Each yarn package consists of yarn wound upon a core 117 which is rotatably mounted on a spindle 118 carried by one end 119 of a bracket 1211.

Each bracket 12d is in the form of an elongated arm and is provided with a hub at its end opposite to the end having the yarn package spindle 118.

An opening is formed in said hub to receive a rod 123 which extends lengthwise of the creel. The rods 123 are so arranged that the yarn packages consist of two assemblages, each assemblage including four rows of yarn packages. One assemblage of four rows of yarn packages is arranged in the upper portion of the creel C1, and the second assemblage of four yarn packages is arranged in the lower portion of the creel.

The upper assemblage of yarn packages is arranged in an inclined plane extending upwardly from the rear side 111 toward the front or yarn discharging side 112 of the creel. ln this way, the yarn packages 1158' of the rear row are located in a horizontal plane lower than the location of the yarn packages 115d of the front row, and the yarn packages 115b and 115c of the intermediate rows are so located with respect to the rear row of yarn packages 115a and the front row of yarn packages 115 that the axes of the four rows of yarn packages are in a substantially straight line which is at an angle with respect to the horizontal base of the creel.

In a similar manner the second assemblage of yarn packages is arranged in an inclined plane extending upwardly from the rear side 111 toward the front or yarn discharging side 112 of the creel C1. Thus, the yarn packages 115e of the rear row are located adjacent to the bottom of the creel, and the yarn packages 115h of the front row are located in a plane below the plane of the yarn packages a of the upper assemblage, the yarn packages 115f and 115g of the intermediate groups being so located with respect to the rear row of yarn packages 115e and the front row of yarn packages 115h that the axes of the four rows of yarn packages of the lower assemblages are in a substantially straight line which is at an angle with respect to the horizontal base of the creel, and which is also substantially parallel with respect to the inclined line of axes of the upper assemblage of yarn packages. ln this Way the row of yarn packages 1152L is arranged in spaced relation directly above the row of yarn packages 115e, the row of yarn packages 115b is arranged in spaced relation directly above the row of yarn packages 115i, the row of yarn packages 115c is arranged directly above the row of yarn packages 115g, and the row of yarn packages 115d is arranged directly above the row of yarn packages 115k, and with the yarn packages 115h arranged in a plane lower than the plane of the yarn packages 115e, so that the several rows of yarn packages are vertically spaced apart, the row of yarn packages 115d being located at the uppermost portion of the creel, and the row of yarn packages 115e being located at the lowermost portion of the creel, whereby the ends of yarn from the several packages will be spaced apart relative to each other to provide ample clearance spaces therebetween.

The yarn package supporting brackets and associated parts are similar in construction with the construction of the brackets 2t), and each rod 123, which provides means for supporting one end of the brackets 12d, is mounted in the creel in the manner heretofore described.

Likewise, associated with each group of yarn packages is a yarn package drive drum 136, which is arranged to support and rotate the yarn packages of the group in a manner similar to the construction ofthe drums 3a heretofore described.

The several drive drums are indicated at 136e, 13162, lsdd, e, 1361, 135g and 13611.

These drive drums are respectively mounted on rotatable shafts 1372, 1371), 137C, 13701, 137e, 137f, 137g and 137h located 'within the creel and which extend through the end transverse frame member 161 and have their outer end portions provided with sprockets 13911, 15913, 139C, 131;, 131e, 1392 139g and 13911 respectively.

An endless chain 141B is arranged with all the sprockets in the manner illustrated in FIG. 17, in combination with free running idler sprockets 141 and an adjustable idler sprocket 1112, which latter sprockets are provided for the purpose of maintaining the chain at a desired tension.

At the yarn discharging side 112l of the creel there are vertically disposed yarn guide rollers 144. The rollers 144;' are generally similar in construction to the rollers 44 heretofore described, and they are rotatably supported by means of bearings 162 carried by the upper bar 148 and by bearings 163 carried by the lower bar 151?. The upper bar 111-8 is mounted on upper brackets 145, and the lower bar 1511 is mounted on lower brackets 147. Since the length of the rollers 144 is less than the length of the rollers 44, in this form of creel it is not necessary to provide the vibration dampening elements intermediate the length of the rollers for the purpose heretofore described.

The upper end of each roller 144 has a sprocket `170 mounted thereon. The rollers 144 ,are rotated in the manner heretofore described by driving means from the yarn package operating mechanism to the roller operating `means having a sprocket 171 arranged as shown in FlG. 17. This driving means includes `a grooved pulley 181) mounted on the shaft 137, a power transmitting unit 181 'having a grooved pulley 182 mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft 133 and operatively connected to the pulley 186 by means of an endless belt 186.

The power transmitting unit 181 has a sprocket 184 mounted on a vertically disposed Ishaft 185, and mechanism for operatively connecting the shafts 183 and 185 whereby rotation of the shaft 183 imparts rotation to 

24. AN APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING, A CREEL HAVING YARN PACKAGES ARRANGED IN GROUPS, EACH GROUP HAVING A PLURALITY OF YARN PACKAGES ARRANGED IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER, MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID YARN PACKAGES WHEREBY THE INDIVIDUAL YARNS ARE POSITIONED FOR TRAVEL IN SEPARATE SPACED APART PATHS TOWARD A COMMON YARN DISCHARGING SIDE OF THE CREEL WHICH IS ARRANGED AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE AXES OF SAID YARN PACKAGES, MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ROTATING THE YARN PACKAGES AT A PREDETERMINED SURFACE SPEED TO CAUSE THE YARN TO TRAVEL THEREFROM TOWARD THE YARN DISCHARGING SIDE OF THE CREEL, A WARPER HAVING A ROTATABLE WARP BEAM FOR RECEIVING THE YARN FROM THE YARN PACKAGES, SAID WARP BEAM HAVING ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS ARRANGED AT AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE YARN DISCHARGING SIDE OF THE CREEL, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE WARP BEAM AT A PREDETERMINED SPEED HAVING A DEFINITE RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SPEED THE YARN TRAVELS FROM THE PACKAGES, A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS ARRANGED AT THE YARN DISCHARGING SIDE OF THE CREEL FOR GUIDING AND SUPPORTING YARN FROM THE YARN PACKAGES TRAVELING TOWARD THE WARPER, SAID ROLLERS BEING ARRANGED AT AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF THE DISCHARGING SIDE OF THE CREEL AND WITH RESPECT TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID WARP BEAM, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ROLLERS AT A PREDETERMINED RATE OF SPEED WHEREBY THE SURFACE SPEED THEREOF IS IN A CONTROLLED RATIO OF THE SURFACE SPEED OF THE YARN PACKAGES AND THE SURFACE SPEED OF THE WARP BEAM, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE WARP BEAM ROTATING MEANS OF THE WARPER WITH THE YARN PACKAGE ROTATING MEANS AND THE YARN ROLLER ROTATING MEANS OF THE CREEL WHEREBY THE YARN FROM THE PACKAGES IS DELIVERED TO THE WARPER IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO EFFECT A BUILD-UP ON THE WARP BEAM OF YARN UNDER A PREDETERMINED TENSION. 